Learning Development Officer

Learning Development Officer

An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team developing and delivering a rail-education scheme connecting schools and young people to the rail industry through workshops, train-trips, and bespoke, local resources.

Platform Rail is a joint education programme for five Community Rail Partnerships (TransWilts, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Severnside and South Wessex). Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) bring together local groups and partners along railway lines to work with the rail industry to deliver a range of community engagement and promotional activities.

They promote understanding of the importance of local railways, in terms of improving mobility and sustainable travel, community cohesion and wellbeing, and social and economic development.

Platform helps teachers to build their students’ knowledge of rail-safety, their understanding of sustainable and healthy travel, and their confidence in using trains. Schools are supported in building cultural-capital with out-of-classroom experiences; embedding sustainable learning into their curriculum; and promoting access to future opportunities available to young people through train travel.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Deliver in-school workshops and assemblies tailored to the needs of students and schools Develop, edit and adjust workshops routinely. Shadow colleagues from Platform and Community Rail and embed good practice into own workshops. Use Plickers to monitor progress throughout workshops. Where appropriate, adopt behaviour management strategies when visiting schools. Confidently deliver rail familiarisation education sessions – including safety briefings – at stations, on trains, and wherever relevant. Liaise with stakeholders including teachers, school staff, train operating companies and staff at stations to ensure the smooth operation of a trip. Contribute to risk assessment planning for school trips and workshops and follow safeguarding procedures. Adhere to meticulous safety protocol when travelling by train and at stations. Gather feedback from students and teachers at the end of workshops and train trips using QR code stickers and Impact surveys. On non-delivery days, plan, research and create curriculum-linked learning resources across KS1 to KS3. Generate ideas for innovative and exciting lessons that meet curriculum objectives, and link to the rail industry/local areas. Write lesson plans that deliver on our Support-Scaffold-Stretch differentiation framework which can also be delivered by non-specialists. Be part of quality control for resources, including proof-reading and editing. Communicate with schools and book trips with them when contacted. Gather meaningful data and use it to influence reports. Help maintain and update the website, contributing to resources, news and events and other areas. Use MS Outlook and calendar function to keep track of activities and visits. Use our Impact system to log data on school engagement after every event. Use Safe HR system to log working hours. When appropriate, present at events/network meetings, promoting the scheme. Contribute to social media posts/take photographs when appropriate.     Attend mentoring and networks with other CRN education professionals. Provide high levels of customer service at all times. Attend conferences as requested. Knowledge and Experience:

Essential

Significant experience in, and enthusiasm for, delivering primary and/or secondary curriculum-led educational sessions in an inspiring and motivating way. Clear understanding and experience of the education sector. Ability to work supportively, empathetically and flexibly with teachers, school staff and young people. Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and KCSIE 2022. Experience of delivering off-site learning, such as school trips or visits with community groups. Experience of using data to inform future actions. Experience of writing, or contributing to, risk assessments. Desirable

Experience of creating thought-provoking teaching resources. Experience of working with learners with additional needs and/or disabilities. Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

Well-organised, clear and confident communicator, able to present to a wide variety of audiences. Excellent personal time management and reliability. The ability to meet deadlines and work in a calm and effective manner. Ability to work as a competent and effective team member, including remote working. Excellent IT skills including knowledge of MS Office. A willingness to learn new applications and technology as appropriate. A preparedness to work flexibly, including variation in the working day or evening and weekend work for key events. Ability to maintain databases and use data to provide evidence, feedback and data for reporting and to inform future content Willingness to travel across the scheme area, using the rail travel pass provided. High levels of customer service skills used to provide excellent experiences for all involved in the scheme. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and/or experience of equality and diversity issues. Commitment to inclusion and an ability to remove barriers for learners. Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of pedagogy, successful teaching strategies, and approaches to behaviour management. Experience using social media platforms. Qualifications

Essential

A suitable qualification in teaching or youth work - such as, but not limited to, PGCE, BEd, BA/BSc with QTS or Graduate Certificate in Youth and Community Work or similar, appropriate qualification or equivalent experience. A current first aid certificate or willingness to do the training. Desirable

Additional qualifications and evidence of CPD, such as a qualification in SEN Driving licence, with access to a car for occasions where travelling by train isn’t viable. Candidates with a range of specialisms considered, but we especially welcome applications from candidates with a specialism in STEM subjects or creative arts. Additional information about this post

Location – Preferably Bath and Northeast Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire

Hours – The team has a flexible approach to working hours, however due to the nature of this role there will be requirements for some working outside of usual office hours.

Contract information - Start date as soon as possible, respecting usual teacher recruitment cycles.

Fixed post until 31st July 2025 with potential of extending depending on future funding

This position is subject to a DBS check.

Salary range £28,000 - £31,750 depending on qualifications and experience.

This role is full time with access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Applications for part-time and term-time only work will also be considered, please make this clear in your application.

Application information

Deadline for applications: 23rd September, 2024

Interviews will be held on the 30th September, 2024, if you are unable to make this date please include this in your application so an alternative date can be arranged if necessary.

To apply for this position please email your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the position against the above criteria. All applicants are requested to complete our equality and diversity monitoring form and return as part of your application. Completion of this form is voluntary and will not affect your application.

For more information regarding this post please contact Clare Marshall at Sustainable Hive who is supporting this recruitment process: clare@sustainablehive.com.